Learning Support Services (LSS) is dedicated to supporting the College mission-Connecting Learning, Life, and Community. Our services are available to the entire Linfield community. Our goal is to assist all students in the pursuit of their academic and life goals.

In addition to offering academic assistance to any and all students, LSS serves the needs of students with disabilities. We are committed to providing equal and integrated access for individuals with disabilities while helping them develop and maintain independence.

Our intent is to work cooperatively with all students as they develop self-determined behaviors, learn self-advocacy skills, and create a network of resources.

For Advisors:

Students may come to you and disclose that they previously received academic assistance during high school. They may refer to a specific disability, or may reference an “IEP” (individualized education plan) or a “504 Plan”; other students may find they do not have the necessary academic skills to be successful and may feel frustrated, embarrassed or defeated. This would be a good time to share information about Learning Support Services. Attached is a list of typical services provided to students with and without documented disabilities.

For students with documented learning, physical and / or psychological disabilities, it is important to keep a few things in mind. In public K-12 schools it is the school’s responsibility to seek out students in need of support services. Once in college, however, students must self-disclose (or self-identify) and request to receive academic adjustments for their disability. Some students may not be aware that they need to request services, or to whom they should speak. Please refer them to LSS.

If a student has already met with and requested services from LSS and is in your class, you will receive a letter from LSS verifying this and explaining the specific needs of the student. When the student approaches you with this letter, we encourage you to take the opportunity to discuss with the student what strategies have previously been successful and what specific concerns the student may have about your course. Especially as a Colloquium Advisor, there will be occasions, based on a student’s specific documentation, when you will receive recommendations about a student’s schedule or course load. Please contact the LSS office if you have questions regarding these recommendations. These recommendations may be in conjunction with, or in addition to, requirements related to provisional admission.

All students are welcome to request tutorial assistance, enroll in the Learning Skills class (IDST 010) or schedule appointments with the LSS staff to discuss any learning skills challenges or other related concerns that may impede their academic success. Peer tutors provide free assistance through course, small group and individual tutoring. Please contact the LSS Coordinator for more information.

You are encouraged to refer students to LSS and to consult with staff members about student concerns. We are a resource for you, the faculty member, as much as for the student. It’s easiest to phone or email and then we can schedule a convenient time to meet and discuss concerns.

For more information about LSS, visit our website: www.linfield.edu/learning-support.html

LSS Staff:

Patti Bonofiglio, Administrative Technician – x2562

Services available for students with diagnosed disabilities:

Reduced-distraction testing environment: provided to students in accordance to their documented disability. All testing rooms are monitored by video to protect the integrity of the testing process.

Extended time for taking tests: again, in accordance with the student’s documentation. Students who receive this service usually require 150-200% extended time. “Unlimited” time is not appropriate. Note Takers: for students with writing, processing and / or attention difficulties, peer note takers are often appropriate. LSS hires students enrolled in the class, usually with a minimum cum. GPA of 3.0 and who have work study/campus employment eligibility.

Test Reader/Test Scribe: occasionally a student requires a scribe or reader to complete an exam. LSS professional staff members only provide this service.

Texts in Alternative Format: some students require texts enlarged, audio, or adapted format. We request your assistance in early identification of materials to be used, so that the appropriate format can be made.

Captioned Films: some students, usually those who experience hearing loss, may need to have the English captions activated when films are shown. In the event that a film was produced before 1990, transcriptions can be produced by LSS; however, this necessitates at least two weeks prior notice.

Priority Registration: in some instances, LSS may assist a student in priority registration when, in accordance with the student’s documented disability, there is a need to secure interpretive services or to provide an accessible schedule. Advisors will be consulted during this process.

Other Services: students may need ASL interpreting, transcription of lectures, preferred seating, wheel chair accessibility, presence of a service animal, or other services arranged or coordinated through LSS. These types of assistance are less common and you will be notified in advance if a student enrolled in your class is in need of this type of assistance.

Services available for ALL students:

Weekly Appointments: with staff members to discuss skills development, institutional culture, and collaboration with counseling and other support staff. Students who have been provisionally admitted may be required to attend regular meetings and those placed on probation may be encouraged to attend. This type of consultation can be particularly helpful for first generation, non-traditional, and culturally diverse students.

Tutoring: large and small group tutoring, as well as limited individual tutoring can be arranged through LSS. Tutors must have a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA, A/B in course to be tutored, recommendation of a faculty member, and a work study/campus employment award. Students in need of tutoring receive 2 hours of tutoring per week, per subject. This does not take the place of attending class regularly or meeting with their professor.

Referrals: sometimes students meet with LSS when they would be better or jointly served by other members of the Linfield community (counseling, student health services, academic advising, the registrar’s office, etc.). We provide a friendly “hand-over” to the appropriate office, while maintaining a support relationship.